AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase DWI patrols for an 11-day period that includes the July 4th holiday. From June 27 – July 7, DPS troopers will focus DWI patrols in high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent.

“As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, DPS urges Texans to do their part to help keep our roadways safe during the holiday,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Individuals should always designate a sober driver or find other means of transportation if they plan to drink alcohol. During the holiday, DPS troopers will be performing increased patrols aimed at protecting all travelers and removing dangerous drivers from the road.”

The increased patrols that target impaired driving are funded through a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). During the 2013 July 4th enforcement effort, DPS troopers made 1,124 DWI arrests, and 173 of those arrests were the direct result of the increased patrols. DPS enforcement also resulted in 720 fugitive arrests, 602 felony arrests, more than 15,700 speeding citations and more than 2,400 seat belt/child safety seat citations during this period.

According to state statistics, approximately every 20 minutes in Texas, someone is hurt or killed in an alcohol-related crash. For some alternative transportation options, visit www.SoberRides.org.